Alaska State Troopers are extending gratitude after Wildlife Trooper Laura Reid spotted a 12-year-old child being swept out to the open ocean in the Kenai River.
Reid was patrolling the North Beach during the Kenai River Dipnet Fishery on Thursday, July 29 at 11:00 p.m., according to the online state trooper dispatch, notifying the dipnetters of the imminent closure for the evening. Once Reid spotted the child, she ran into the frigid Kenai River to save the child who was barely above the water. Once she made it out to the child, they both began to float down the river.
Antoine Aridou, a good Samaritan who was fishing on the bank, took notice and used his dipnet to assist Trooper Reid and the child to safety. The child was evaluated by medics and reunited with his parents.
The Alaska Wildlife Troopers want to thank Aridou for his swift action and assistance in saving Reid and the child.